The Attraction of the Local Culture

After enjoying the sceneries on the top, you can go to an ancient village at the foot the mountain to get a glimpse of what the real life looks like in the countryside of inner China.

Local History
Huizhou was the traditional name of the local territory, which covers about 10,000 square kms. There were very few residents 2000 years ago. With the historical evolvement, the local population was being built up steadily. Especially the refugees from the Northern China poured into the areas during the two war periods from 950—1050 AD, and 1250—1300 AD. The local production could not feed so large population, as farm fields were limited, therefore the youngsters had to leave home for the more developed areas, such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanking etc. working as apprentices in pawnshops, groceries selling tea, dried bamboo shoots, etc. When some of them opened their own business and got rich, building themselves a big house at hometown was their priority. Then the successful merchants sent their sons to the local private schools, hoping their kids would become an official to bring honor to the family. During Ming and Qing dynasties, there really appeared lots of high rank officials originating from the local, Huizhou. When you go to visit the Yellow Mountain, you will pass by such kinds of villages: well-preserved old houses, memorial archways of more than 300 years, family memorial shrine halls, etc. Here are a few examples as follows:
Tang Yue Memorial Archway Complex
Shexian County is regarded as "a town of archways". In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were more than 200 memorial archways dotted all over the whole territory, now only 80 of which remain well. Among the preserved ones, Tang Yue Arch Complex is most significant and completely well-preserved. At the entrance of the Tang Yue Village stand the seven magnificent stone memorial archways---three built in the Ming dynasty and four in the Qing Dynasty, in the successive order of loyalty, filial piety, women's chastity and charity. Each arch was built in relation with a moving story and vividly reveals in one way or another moral value of the time. The seven arches are of great magnificent and classic elegance with both cultural and artistic values. By the side of the seven archways stand two ancient clan halls---one for men, called as Dun Ben Tang, which means the hall of honesty, and another for women called as Qing Yi Tang, which means the hall of fine examples. Both halls provide vivid statues for the tourists to understand the life and work style of the local merchants' families in the patriarchal-feudal system evolved in Huizhou Area. In addition, the construction of a women’s' hall at the mid 19th century was a rare symbol of women's victory over feudal routine "women were not allowed to enter the clan hall".

Xi Di Village---A Haven of Peace
The most attracting characteristics of Xi Di is her perfectly well-preserved 124 civilian houses which were built one after another in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. All the houses are covered by grey tiles with white-washes walls around the courtyards. The 99 winding alleys or lanes, paved with large pieces of stone slabs, connect all the households together. Two crystal-clear brooks pass through the village, and provide endless streams for the housewives' frequent washing. The whole village is just hugged by small green hills, whose slopes are covered by bamboo or tea bushes and young pine forest. At the entrance of the village, your attention will be caught by a magnificent memorial archway, which was built in honor of a celebrated official in mid-Ming Dynasty. Inside the village you will find that all the houses were built with one common feature: the wood-bricked structures with two storeys, elaborately carved beams, and colorfully painted pillars. The designs of the wood carvings are all originated from Chinese legendary stories and ancient routine practice. The ornaments with superb workmanship can be seen everywhere in the houses, which really reflect the prosperous period of the former dwellers whose business covered salt trade, pawnshops, ect. The representatives of such houses are several ancient clan halls and merchants' residences the Hall of Kindness, the Hall of Auspices, ect. to name a few.

The Unique Buffalo-shaped Village---Hong Tsun
Hong Tsun Village, evolved in Ming and Qing dynasties, is located in a beautiful surrounding, with green hills around and clear streams winding through. The village, covering the territory of 30 hectares, has a great fame for her water-supplying system.. The bird view of village's shape is like a resting water-buffalo. The running water flows in the winding ditches to every household, and is finally gathered in a little lake at the entrance of the village. The peaceful environment and beautiful surroundings present outsiders a piece of pleasing and tranquil picture of a typical country life in South China. Everyday hundreds of visitors are attracted to the village by its beautiful views and the more than 140 well-preserved ancient houses, among which several magnificent clan halls and the celebrities' former residences are most attracting. Inside these ancient houses you can appreciate the splendid wood carvings on the beams and columns. After your visit, you will conclude that Hong Tsun's major difference from other villages is that the well-preserved ancient houses get along harmoniously well with her beautiful surroundings. Seeing is believing.

A Natural Studio---Namping Village
The most attracting part of Namping Village is her 300 or more ancient residential houses and her maze winding lanes. Rambling in the village, you'll be surprised to find how simple and old-fashioned the village is. Wherever you go, you will see the well-preserved ancient houses with white walls and grey tiles. Inside the courtyard, your eyesight will be caught by the traditional ornaments of the household: stone-carved windows, wood-carved beams and columns. Outside the yard, walking along the stone-paved path, you will soon lose yourself in the maze-liked winding lanes. Traditional-styled houses, old-fashioned decorations inside and winding small lanes stringing every household of the whole village are the main features of Namping, which is the reason why lots of traditional Chinese films chose Namping as scenes on location. So if you have a tour in Yixian County, Namping village is another choice in your tour list.
Tunxi Early Street Market,
The Ming and Qing Styled commercial row extends more than 1500 meters long where you can buy souvenirs and local products, such as Chinese ink sticks, ink stones and pen brushes. Housewives like the dried bamboo shoots and mushrooms very much. Therefore you can easily hear the bargaining between the shop owner and the shoppers while you are having a stroll on the market. The traditional atmosphere of the commercial street market is so characteristic and original that the street has been often used as a shooting site of many films about old China. This street market is really a must-see for tourists after back to the downtown hotels and before departing the local for the next destination.
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